If you remember from last year, we began our homeschooling journey. It was such an amazing year – so many new adventures and activities, lotsa time in nature and getting messy with art projects; we made yummy recipes and learned new skills. I say the word “we” because I (and at times, Alexander) was learning alongside both my young kids. It was a great year for all of us in the Ramsey haus!
When we initially chose homeschool (6+ years ago now, before sweet L was even born), I had the innocently, naive idea that we would simply choose the homeschool route and then my kids would rise and call me blessed (insert the melting emoji face). But over the last year I’ve learned from more seasoned mamas that it isn’t that clear or easy. And if you’ve ever made big decisions about the schooling method you want and seek out for your kids, you’ll understand this perfectly: you need to readjust and process what will be best for each kid and you’re entire family every single year. And that’s exactly what we started doing last spring.
Around April of this year Alexander and I began to assess how the year went, what I personally wanted to change and add the next year, and a variety of other things. And one of the options we discussed was to join a homeschool co-op or to enroll Liliana in a hybrid school program. If you’ve never heard of either, both are great options, especially if the values you hold are upheld in the co-op or school. When we began looking into co-ops though, we were honestly disappointed, there were very few groups that met certain standards of the schooling approach we desire for our family. But around that same time, we had someone mention a hybrid school nearby so we looked into it.
After a few times digging into the schools’ values, philosophies and methods, we attended an open house at the school and both Alexander and I were stunned and overly impressed. It seemed to check every box and more. It couldn’t have felt more right for our family.
So after lots of conversation and prayer we decided to enroll Liliana and we couldn’t be more excited! If you haven’t heard of a hybrid school, it’s a schooling approach that still gives parents control over their kids’ schooling while also allowing them to go to an actual school a few days each week, meaning there are “school days” and “home days” where the parents are the teachers (aka, homeschool). This approach was one of the biggest draws to the school, along with their emphasis on God’s sovereignty in every subject, specific values, habits and teaching methods, and many more.
As I began writing this blog post, Alexander and I were at a training week designed for the parents or “co-teachers” whose child/children is attending the school. Getting to hear from and learn alongside every other parent at the school was inspiring and it made sense why God directed us to that very place. The thought “these are my people” kept rolling through my mind the entire week.
And now, as I’m wrapping up this blog post, it’s two-ish weeks into the school year and we have all good news to share! Liliana has been loving everything — she’s excited to learn, loves her new friends, it’s evident she’s growing closer to God, and her teacher is the absolute best and sweetest.
On Liliana’s “home days” we’ve been diving back into some fun curriculum by the Brighter Day Press — we used the same curriculum last year and are still loving it. It incorporates art and nature, science experiments, reading and math into every day life with simple activities and brings Jesus into it all, it’s always one I recommend to mamas starting their homeschool journey.
I feel equally excited for both my littles, getting extra time with just Finley feels new and life-giving and watching Liliana thrive makes my mama heart leap.
